Converting to Buddhism?

Question

I am Protestant Christian and I am thinking of converting to Buddhism but would like to learn more about it as well as find a Buddhist temple or monastary (someplace i can worship) within either the town or county I live in. I live in Wauconda, Illinois and I live in Lake County. Any information would be appreciated. Also for those who are going to state the obvious i already tried google.

Answer 1

U can try `www.buddhanet.net' a lot of good information

Answer 2

yup buddhanet.net has lots of informations.. about check the library sections.. i recommend 'the four noble truth', 'good question good answer', 'what buddhist believe'..
also you might want to do some mediatation check www.dhamma.org for 10 days meditation retreat..

well you don't have to converted to learn Buddhism...
i consider my self as just spiritual... learn from all...

Zen is also great !

“Do not go by revelation or tradition, do not go by rumor, or the sacred scriptures, do not go by hearsay or mere logic, do not go by bias towards a notion or by another person’s seeming ability and do not go by the idea ‘He is our teacher’. But when you yourself know that a thing is good, that it is not blamable,
that it is praised by the wise and when practiced and observed that it leads to happiness, then follow that thing.”


Once there was a man called Upali. He was the follower of another religion and he went to the Buddha in order to argue with him and try to convert him. But after talking to the Buddha, he was so impressed that he decided to become a follower of the Buddha. But the Buddha said:
“Make a proper investigation first. Proper investigation is good for a well-known person like yourself.”
“Now I am even more pleased and satisfied when the Lord says to me: ‘Make a proper investigation first.’ For if members of another religion had secured me as a disciple they would have paraded a banner all around the town saying: ‘Upali has joined our religion.’ But the Lord says to me: ‘Make a proper investigation first. Proper investigation is good for a well known person like yourself.”



In Buddhism, understanding is the most important thing and understanding takes time. So do not impulsively rush into Buddhism. Take your time, ask questions, consider carefully, and then make your decision. The Buddha was not interested in having large numbers of disciples. He was concerned that people should follow his teachings as a result of a careful investigation and consideration of facts.

Answer 3

http://www.buddhanet.net/worlddir.htm <<< buddhist directory

To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life'. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:
(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.
Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.

Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.

It is important to not end up with considering a deity/ buddha as an external god, just to send prayers to with the request to fix things for us - that's not really Buddhism. The point in Buddhism is always to evolve and transform ourselves, and in that way to help others in a much more effective way.

Buddhists don’t pray to a Creator God/ deities/ bodhisattva, but they do have devotional meditation practices which could be compared to praying. Radiating loving-kindness to all living beings is a practice which is believed to benefit those beings. The sharing of merit is a practice where one dedicates the goodness of one’s life to the benefit of all living beings as well as praying for a particular person.

Answer 4

If you don't know about Buddhism, How can you say you want to convert. See No religion is Bad, But just Meir changing religion on Paper doesn't make any difference. If you Love everyone, Help Poor,Speak Truth and are Peace lover than you don't have to follow any religion, All Religions will follow you. God bless you.

Answer 5

if your going to convert go for a cooler religeon like shinto. (both asian religeons)

christianity and buddhisms condradict each other alot

Answer 6

If you're looking for help, you won't find it on Yahoo questions and answers... trust me....But go luck.... cause only Christ Jesus saves you from your sins... believe it or not!!!

Answer 7

not a buddist sorry m8.

Answer 8

no thanks. I pass